CONTRACTIONS - 40 WEEKS, 3 DAYS

Good job we tested the TENS machine as I started to have contractions at around midday and by about 4pm I was ready to put the TENS machine on. They are very irregular and very short but actually quite intense.

I knew Mum and Dad had arranged for family to meet up their house for some food to celebrate me turning 30 tomorrow. I asked Rob to call them to let them know that there was the potential that we might not make it. Mum answered the phone and immediately assumed we had found something better to do and that was the reason we weren't coming, so she handed the phone to Dad. It didn't even occur to her that I might actually be having a baby. Rob found it so funny but I was worried because I knew Mum would have put a lot of work into arranging everything and would be quite upset. Once she knew though, she was asking Dad to apologise to Rob for being curt on the phone. Thanks Mum and Dad for all that you arranged today. I know I wasn't the life and soul of the party but I really did enjoy it and I know Ellis had a ball!

I have brought all my presents home with me but if I'm in hospital tomorrow then I will probably only open my cards and leave the presents for when I am back home. I would prefer to open them in front of everyone anyway.

Contractions are really low, around the bottom of my bump and around into my back. I am currently sat on my ball, wiggling and just trying to relax. Would really like to have a shower and a lie down but I don't want to take my TENS machine off.

Been picking at food all day and sipping at water. Just had my longest contraction at 41 seconds. I did phone the day assessment unit earlier and they said pretty much what I knew and that was to wait for them to be strong, regular and longer. They seem to be treating me like a normal labour which is quite good.

The only thing I'm really worried about at the moment is that I am tired. Might skip the shower, have a strip wash and lie down instead. Not really sure what to do with meself. It's all a bit scary and I don't really want it to happen. Just want the baby and to be at home.

I was hoping this time would be a bit quicker than last time but it doesn't seem to be that way. Been contracting on and off now for nearly 9 hours already! And I know this is still only pre-labour! Going to the loo and then for a lie down I think.